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In 1894, New York's governor called for
the flag to be flown on all public buildings. |
The idea for Flag Day continued to spread. In 1894, the governor of New York called for the American flag to be prominently displayed on all public buildings. Mr. Cigrand and another Flag Day enthusiast, Leroy Van Horn, had been working hard to get people in other states involved. Soon, the first Flag Day celebration was held in Illinois. On June 14, 1894 Chicago celebrated the day with all the public school kids holding festivities in Douglas, Garfield, Humboldt, Lincoln, and Washington Parks. More than 300,000 kids participated!
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| Franklin K. Lane who served our country s the Secretary of Interior from 1913-1920, under the administration of Woodrow Wilson, gave a stirring speech on the very first "official Flag Day" in 1914. Image courtesy of the National Park Service. |
Kids weren't the only ones excited about Flag Day. Grownups got involved too. On Flag Day 1914 Franklin K. Lane, Secretary of the Interior, delivered a 1914 Flag Day address in which he repeated words he said the flag had spoken to him that morning: "I am what you make me; nothing more. I swing before your eyes as a bright gleam of color, a symbol of yourself."
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| President Harry Truman signed the final Act of Congress declaring that Flag Day would become an official holiday to be celebrated every year on June 14. Image courtesy of the Library of Congress. |
Just two years later, President Woodrow Wilson made it official on May 30, 1916—America would observe Flag Day, the anniversary of the creation of the first American flag, every year. President Wilson's proclamation got some punch added to it when on August 3, 1949, President Harry Truman signed the Act of Congress officially declaring June 14 every year as National Flag Day.
Think about our flag for a moment. Do you know what it means? What it stands for? How does it make you feel? When you see the flag do you think about the people who shed their blood to keep it flying? Do you feel proud when you look at it?
The colors of the flag are very important! The white of the stripes and stars stand for purity and innocence. Red stands for hardiness and valor, and many think of the red as symbolizing the blood that was shed to gain our freedom. The blue stands for vigilance, perseverance and justice. Our flag is the true symbol of democracy and freedom, and it inspires us to feel pride and gratitude to God for the privilege of living in this country. That is why we should always treat the flag with respect and honor.
Do you know how to fly the flag? Did you know there are special rules for flying our American flag? Because it is one of the most important and special symbols of our country, it deserves special treatment. Here are the rules to follow when you fly the American Flag:
Fly the flag from sunrise to sunset. If flown through the night, it must be well-lit so it can be seen.
When you raise the flag, do it briskly. When you lower it, do it slowly and with thoughtfulness. Never take the raising and lowering of the flag lightly—it is an important ceremony, each and every time it is done!
The flag should not be flown in the rain or inclement weather unless it is an "all-weather" flag.
Always fly the flag on official holidays.
Click here to read a list of flag-flying days.
The flag should be flown during school days in or near every schoolhouse.
When a president or vice-president dies or our nation has a tragic event, the flag is flown at half staff, usually for 30 days. Note: it's called "half staff" on land, and "half mast" on a ship. The President may call for flags to be flown at half staff on other occasions. These are always announced on the White House website.
When the flag is flown at half staff, it should be raised to the top of the pole briefly and then lowered to the halfway point.
When the flag is flown on a vertical pole, the stars and blue field (that's what we call the union), is at the top and at the end of the pole.
Always fly the American flag at the highest point. State flags and others fly below it.
The union (blue field with stars) is always on top. When displayed in print, the stars and blue field are always on the top left.
Don't ever let the flag touch the ground. It is to be treated with utmost respect. It is not necessary, however, to destroy a flag that has touched the ground; if it has become dirty, wash it or have it dry-cleaned as needed.
Carefully fold your flag when you put it away. Show it the honor and care it deserves.
Flags that are worn out should be burned or buried, but never tossed in the trash.
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| Henry Ward Beecher worked very hard to bring good change and new freedom for many in America. Image courtesy of Amherst University. |
If one asks me the meaning of our flag, I say to him: It means all that the Constitution of our people, organizing for justice, for liberty, and for happiness, meant. Our flag carries American ideas, American history and American feelings. This American flag was the safeguard of liberty. It was an ordinance of liberty by the people, for the people. That it meant, that it means, and, by the blessing of God, that it shall mean to the end of time!
--Henry Ward Beecher, 19th century pastor and abolitionist
Let those who would die for the flag on the field of battle give a better proof of their patriotism and a higher glory to their country by promoting fraternity and justice.
--Benjamin Harrison, Inaugural Address, 1889
The things that the flag stands for were created by the experiences of a great people. Everything that it stands for was written by their lives. The flag is the embodiment, not of sentiment, but of history.
--Woodrow Wilson
When we look at our flag and behold it emblazoned with all our rights, we must remember that it is equally a symbol of our duties. Every glory that we associate with it is the result of duty done.
--Calvin Coolidge
Read again the stirring words spoken by Henry Ward Beecher. As a godly young American, he fought to end slavery and to bring many people into a friendship with Jesus. He did this by preaching and writing and working with others. Henry Ward Beecher also loved his country and the flag.
If one asks me the meaning of our flag, I say to him: It means all that the Constitution of our people, organizing for justice, for liberty, and for happiness, meant. Our flag carries American ideas, American history and American feelings. This American flag was the safeguard of liberty. It was an ordinance of liberty by the people, for the people. That it meant, that it means, and, by the blessing of God, that it shall mean to the end of time!
--Henry Ward Beecher, 19th century pastor and abolitionist
QUESTION 1
Which of the following would you say best explains Henry Ward Beecher's feelings about the flag?
- When Henry Ward Beecher looked at the American flag, he saw colorful cloth that acted as a symbol for our country.
- When Henry Ward Beecher looked at the American flag, it made him happy.
- When Henry Ward Beecher looked at the American flag, it made him think of the great struggle experienced by our Founding Fathers and others to gain freedom and independence for our country.
QUESTION 2
True or False: Henry Ward Beecher felt that since most every person in America was first British, the flag should stir appreciation for Britain and the heritage we received from that great nation.
- True
- False
QUESTION 3
True or False: Though Henry Ward Beecher loved the flag, he also believed that the meaning of our flag would change from time to time and from generation to generation.
- True
- False
QUESTION 4
When we look at our flag and behold it emblazoned with all our rights, we must remember that it is equally a symbol of our duties. Every glory that we associate with it is the result of duty done.
--Calvin Coolidge
Read again the words of President Calvin Coolidge. Which of the following would you say is true?
- Calvin Coolidge believed that everyone in America has certain rights, and we should take advantage of them whenever and however we want to.
- President Coolidge said that when we look at the flag we should feel overwhelmed with all that we must do to earn our freedom in this country.
- Calvin Coolidge said that the privileges of being an American also come with certain responsibilities, and we must remember those who have faithfully stepped up to fulfill those responsibilities, for they bought our freedom.
QUESTION 5
True or False: According to Calvin Coolidge, we would not enjoy the liberty and freedom we have in America if those who went before us hadn't stepped up to defend America, her freedom and independence.
- True
- False
We hope you've learned some new things about our flag, and that you'll make sure that the American flag is flown proudly at your home this Flag Day! And while you are at it, remember that the flag is one of the very best prayer reminders a person can have. Each time you see the flag, let it remind you to thank God for the freedom you enjoy in America, and then pray for the President asking God to guide and protect him. As a kid who prays, that's one of the best ways you can show your gratitude to God this Flag Day.
We also want to encourage you to take President Calvin Coolidge's words to heart and to consider what you can do to serve our country—besides praying, that is—which is a very important form of service. Can you volunteer to help others? Can you work to keep your neighborhood clean? Is there a way you can help send care packages to our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan? You may be just a kid, but there is much you can do to honor and serve our country.
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